The benefits of keeping a journal(日志)

    If you want to grow, one important thing you should do is keep a journal. It may seem simple, but it can make a big difference in your life. I have been keeping journals for years. Writing all the lessons I learn and all the ideas I get has become a habit for me. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are some benefits you will get by keeping a journal.

♦ It prevents you from losing an idea. Have you ever gotten an idea and lost it later because you didn't write it down? {#blank#}2{#/blank#} But then I developed the habit of writing down every idea that came into my mind as soon as possible. If I am away from my computer, I usually write it down on a piece of paper that I bring wherever I go. I will then transfer the idea to the journal in my computer.

♦ It helps you review all the lessons you've learned. By reviewing your journal, you can quickly see the lessons you've learned and the ideas you've gotten. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} You can use the ideas to propel yourself forward.

♦ {#blank#}4{#/blank#} After keeping a journal for years, you can look back at it and see how far you've gone. Things that were big problems in the past might seem small today. The raw ideas you had in the past have been realized today.

♦ It helps you expand your ideas. When you try to come up with a sentence to express an idea, you are thinking actively about it. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} In the end, you will expand your ideas.

A.I often experienced that myself.

B.It trains you to express your thoughts.

C.It allows you to see your progress over time.

D.Just use whatever tool you feel comfortable with.

E.Thinking actively helps you connect your idea to another idea.

F.And to be honest, I can't imagine what my life would be like without it.

G.Then you can do whatever necessary to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

    Success seems to find Maya Moore everywhere she goes. But life hasn't been a bed of roses for Maya and her biggest supporter, her mother.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Maya discovered her love of basketball in 1997 at the age of 8. That was the year the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) began holding games. The young girl watched WNBA star Cynthia Cooper play in Olympics.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Three years later her mother, Kathryn, was offered a better job in North Carolina. Kathryn decided to make the move from Missouri because North Carolina provided greater basketball opportunities. Sadly, in under two months the company downsized, and Kathryn lost her job. She remembers, “{#blank#}3{#/blank#}” Maya says the difficulties brought them closer, and she praises her mom. “She's more than a teammate. I know she's going to be on my side.”

    About a year later, mother and daughter moved to Georgia, where Maya continued to play basketball. In high school she had the opportunity to play basketball against some of the nation's best players.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Maya led her team to 125 victories and three state championships. During this time, she was named the national player of the year twice.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Maya and her mother approached the college decision like they did everything. With careful consideration, Maya chose the University of Connecticut.

A. It was a bad time.

B. It really a competitive skill.

C. The competition improved her skills.

D. You can't succeed without too much payment.

E. The path to success required a lot of hard work.

F. Maya dreamed to compete in the Olympics one day.

G. Universities compared to invite her to join their teams.

    Everyone needs a break, and vacations are not meant for serious study. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}The Spring Festival is around the corner so this is the perfect time to discuss some great English language literature to take on a long train journey. Before getting into the recommendations, you need to determine your English reading comprehension level. If you're at the beginner level, there are two options: reading a children's book or reading a book that you've read in Chinese translation.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} If you're at the intermediate level, popular books like pop fiction, mysteries and thrillers are good options. For advanced readers, classic works of literature or modern prize winners (Nobel, Pulitzer) are good options.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}When I pick up a book I like, even though the first few chapters are really hard to get through, I would try to get accustomed to the language the author uses. Generally, after the first few chapters, things get a lot easier, especially if I get involved in the story.

    Another great way to keep yourself motivated is to find a friend who's interested in reading the same book. You can make goals that you both want to achieve. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Some quick recommendations: Harry Potter, start with the first book and go on from there; the Narnia series; anything by U.S. writer Michael Crichton; and if you like horror, U.S. writer Stephen King is always unusual and fun. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Happy reading!

A. If you pick a book which is so challenging, it will be too stressful.

B. The most important thing is to pick a book that you're really interested in.

C. You may also enjoy your reading when hanging out with your family.

D. You should just find a topic or author you're interested in, and the rest will go from there.

E. You can also discuss plot lines or vocabulary issues with each other by SMS or e-mail.

F. Instead, they're a great way to take a break and enjoy a good book.

G. This will help you get over any unfamiliar words or phrases, since you're already familiar with the story.

    Why Stand in Line on Black Friday?

    Standing in line is a pain. At the post office. At the box office. At a restaurant.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}The first spot outside some Best Buy stores is usually claimed (认领) weeks in advance, often by a person in a tent. Shoppers at Walmart will print out maps of the store, with circles around their primary targets.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    "These queues are quite different than the usual annoying ones we come across day to day at the ATM or in the subway," said Richard Larson, a professor at MIT who has spent years studying line behavior. "Once a year," he said, "the lines are exciting. They're the kind you might tell your grandchildren about."{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Billie LeClere, 45, was first in line on Thursday at Walmart in Manchester, Iowa. She said she was a regular Black Friday shopper. But this year, she came with a specific purpose: to get a good deal on a new TV. She and her husband had recently separated, and he had taken the old TV earlier that day. "The marriage died, not the TV," she said.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} "It's going to be nice to have something that's newer-and it's mine, not his."

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}The following are two of the typical results. The "gotta have it" atmosphere makes people more anxious. Sometimes the behaviour of the queue turns violent. Therefore，lines test patience，personal space especially on Black Friday, when the crowds can be overwhelming (势不可挡的).

A. Shoppers are excited to buy gifts.

B. But on Black Friday, it's an experience.

C. Moreover, the crowds are queuing for good deals.

D. Many families are queuing to chat with each other.

E. The experience gave her a sense of accomplishment.

F. They are trying to turn the experience into an adventure.

G. The behaviour of people in lines has inspired decades of research.

How to Organize a Music Festival

    You love music and you always have. You want to carry out a music festival designed to attract music fans of all ages. Follow the steps and you'll organize a successful one.

    Start by making a list of the local bands and artists that you like. You've taken this job because you love music, so put your taste to work for you. If you like these musicians, many of the local residents will also like them. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} You need to have many kinds of music for all age groups.

    Find a great location that has much open space for outdoor festivals. You need to build a stage so the musicians can be seen from distances. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Not all towns need such license but it is a good idea to check before you start building. For an indoor location, you need to find a theater that is willing to give you enough space. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Hire sound and engineering people to give the musicians all the help they need. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} You can't expect the musicians to handle these problems because they are playing. Your sound and engineering experts will allow your stars to keep the music playing.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} If you are planning your festival for families, the last thing you want is a beer-swilling crowd starting a huge brawl (斗殴). Security people need to be present to make sure that nobody gets the idea that they want to start any kind of ruckus(骚乱).

A. You need to find security people.

B. Bigger sports stadiums will be perfect as well.

C. We can find enough songs to get a lot of money.

D. People should have practiced many different songs.

E. But remember, you are trying to attract fans of all ages.

F. The last thing you want is that a group is on the stage but the speakers don't work.

G. You can find a location by going to the local government and asking for permission.

    Happiness is the only true measure of personal success. Making other people happy is the highest expression of success. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}With that in mind, here are some suggestions that will immediately increase the amount of happiness in your life:

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    If there's any big truth about life, it's that it usually lives up to your expectations. Therefore, when you rise from bed, make your first thought: "Something wonderful is going to happen today." Guess what? You're probably right.

    Take time to plan and prioritize(优先处理)

    The most common source of stress is the thought that you've got too much work to do. Rather than worry about it, pick one thing that will move you closer to your highest goal and purpose in life. Then do that first.

    Eat high quality food slowly

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Even so, at least once a day try to eat something really delicious, like a small chunk of fine cheese or an imported chocolate. Taste it, focus on it and enjoy it.

Let go of your results.

    The big enemy of happiness is worry, which comes from focusing on events that are outside your control. Once you've taken action, there's usually nothing more you can do. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    End each day with gratitude

    Just before you go to bed, write down at least one wonderful thing that happened. It might be something as small as making a child laugh or something as huge as a million dollar deal.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Start each day with expectations.

B  Give a gift to everyone you meet.

C. Focus on the job at hand rather than some fantasy that might happen.

D. Whatever it is, be grateful for that day because it will never come again.

E. Sometimes we can't avoid eating something quickly and running.

F. Thinking about that thing makes your head hurt.

G. It's impossible to make others happy if you're not happy.